PA extends remand of journalist who wrote of corruption

A Palestinian Authority court on Wednesday extended the remand of Palestinian journalist Yousef al-Shayeb who was detained after writing an article about corruption in the Palestinian diplomatic mission in France, official PA news agency WAFA reported.

Shayeb, who works as a correspondent for the Jordanian daily Al-Ghad, was originally detained following a complaint by the head of the diplomatic mission, Hayel Fahoum and his wife and deputy. The PA Foreign Ministry had also filed a complaint against Shayeb.

The decision to extend his remand was made pending an investigation of charges of slander and defamation. In the hearing, Shayeb announced he would go on hunger strike to protest the infringement on press freedom, according to WAFA.